Tuesday, December 23, 2008

December 13, 2008

Today was a foggy day with the high of 32 degrees. The Prescott guys built railings on 8 cabins, and also built twelve shutter windows for four cabins. The snow is coming so the work may be done for this season. There will be a board meeting on January 12, 2009 where plans and budget will be the main focus. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all.

December 6, 2008

A small crew from Phoenix and a new resident of Arizona, Gary Kesti from Flagstaff, spent the day at Kamp Kipa. They removed the tin roofs off two cabins and that tin was set aside as reusable material. The two cabins and one shed were demolished and all that material was put into the dumpster. The shower stalls were cleaned and all trash removed. That is it for December 6th with a small crew of about 7 or 8.

Tuesday, November 18, 2008




Kamp Kipa Fall of 2008

Kamp Kipa Fall Update:

November 17, 2008

Cabins: The remodeling of the cabins is going forward very nicely. Nine out of the ten cabins that we are saving have been remodeled or updated. We have some specialty work that needs doing: some tin roof repairs, and work on the footings/foundations for two of the cabins. The shutters/windows will be done by one person to maintain the same look throughout all the cabins.

On the 15th of November we had two cleanup/demolition crews go to camp to focus on cleaning up the cabin remodeling debris, removing and hauling away the extra cabins and one ramada that we will not be using. They also have removed the existing bathroom fixtures, showers, privacy walls etc. in both bath houses.

Bath Houses: The plans for the bath house layout have been approved by the planning committee and county. We have all the necessary permits to remodel the bath houses but we have decided to hold off on the remodeling until spring. The bath houses will be done at the same time as the main lodge because of vandalism concerns. The Colorado congregation will be helping and working with the Arizona crews on the bath houses.

Lodge: We hope to have the lodge permits by year end, which will enable us to get an early start next year.

Sauna: The sauna stove has been switched from a wood burning stove to an electrical stove. The sauna is ready for use.

Clean up will continue to be an ongoing process.

Water: The water system is considered a “community system” and is regulated by the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ). We tested the water for 200 different parameters and it generally meets the ADEQ regulations for health and safety. We must obtain a permit from the ADEQ to construct the improvements. To receive the permit we must send plans and specifications to the ADEQ for review and approval. We are working on the plans. Once the permit is received from the ADEQ we will make the improvements ourselves, with possible assistance by a specialized contractor for areas that need more expertise. Once the construction is completed, it will need to be operated under compliance with ADEQ regulations. This means someone from the church will need to obtain an ADEQ license to operate the water system, or we may subcontract the operation to a person who has the required license.

Donations from the presentations have come in, and if some congregations have not had a presentation, they should contact Jim Moll. Current cash on hand is approximately $80,000. We still hope to have the camp ready by the end of 2009.

Wednesday, July 2, 2008

Kamp Kipa June Update

The kitchen designer has finished a layout and the planning committee recommends going with the kitchen design as presented by Steve Forstie. With brand new commercial equipment the cost is approximately $100,000 and all equipment will be moveable to the new camp except the vent hood.

The kitchen designer will create a CAD drawing showing the layout and this includes the following items:

Electric design, plumbing design, appliance layout, mechanical design, specifications booklet and pre-construction layout.

This design will take one week and will be sent to Steve Moll to be included in the construction plans.

Propane will be used for cooking and it can also be used in a furnace to heat the Lodge. A structural engineer will need to do an inspection and provide a report prior to submitting plans to Yavapai County.

The demolition permits and cabin permits have been picked up. The permits for the bathrooms have been approved. Scott Raisanen will take care of the cabin remodel work and Lon Kumpula will take care of the demolition work.

APS is setting the power pole this week and will then pull primary and secondary electric lines. Once the electric panels have been approved, we can then purchase the meters. Power will be available for construction.

Parking will be provided along a two-way drive adjacent to the caretaker's cabin. There will be forty parking spots (32 spaces are required per county code). Vehicle access will be limited to the lower lodge area and include a 45' radius cul-de-sac adjacent to the lodge. The site plan will be submitted with the lodge and staff cabin plans. A scope of work will be sent to Kelly Wise engineering for cost estimates. The Camp Planning Committee approved the pedestrian oriented site plan. A garbage area will be in the cul-de-sac.

Our schedule is as follows:
1. Continue clean-up.
2. Demolition beginning of June.
3. Cabin remodel middle of June.
4. Bathhouses end of July.
5. Lodge, staff cabin and site plan submittal to be made at the end of July or beginning of August.

Tuesday, May 6, 2008

The work continues...

Your help is needed. The good news is that God has already provided you with the means to help. If He has blessed you with the ability to give support financially, that is certainly welcome. If He has blessed you with the time, skill and energy to provide labor, that is also welcome. If you feel you are extended to your limits in time and money, you still have the ability to help. The most important thing we can ask for is your prayers; that this Kamp Kipa project will be blessed and flourish to fulfill the mission statement for many years to come.

Operating Budget

The goal of the LLC and the camp boards is that the camps operate with balanced budgets. In other words, the expenses for operating Camp Area Sponsored events would be covered by revenues.

Income
Donations/Fees/Collections
Direct support from Camp Area Congregations.
Food and soft drinks
Concessions

Expenses
Camp staff wages
Caretaker wages
Travel
Food
Utilities (Electric, heat, water).
Maintenance and repairs
Camp and office supplies
Insurance
Telephone
Permits, licenses, misc.

Planned Camp Activities

LLC Sponsored
Confirmation School
Language Camp

Camp Area Sponsored:
Youth Camp
Pre and Post Confirmation Camp
Mother & Daughter Camp
Father & Son Camp
Parents Camp
Seniors Camp
Mothers Camp
Fathers Camp
Music Camp
Bible Camp

Saturday, May 3, 2008

Estimated Budget

Estimated budget to complete the operational phase.

We provided the following information in the update to the LLC Board 10/27/2007

Rough Costs: $300,000.00

* Infrastructure for water $50,000.00
* Infrastructure for electrical $50,000.00
* Cabins, ramadas, bathrooms $50,000.00
* Lodge $150,000.00

Completion of Operational Phase

* Operational Camp target date July 2009

* LLC Ownership

* Operational budget

When the camp is operational, we will then turn over the keys to the LLC to begin operational oversight.

The LLC along with the Kamp Kipa Board will develop an operational budget to determine financial needs funded by:

*Camp attendees

*Direct support from camp
Area congregations.

* Donations

Continuing Work

Many factors will come to play in determining if we can reach our goal of summer 2009 for an operational camp. One is weather . . . Snow during the winter months can stall work on the camp. Another is labor . . . When we are attempting to keep costs down; we will try to use volunteer labor when possible. Lastly, we need financial support to complete this project.

Master Plan

The Master Plan includes a complete new facility that could one day be built at this location on the property. It would allow for simultaneous events to be held while still using the operational camp and camping area. We place our trust in God, that He will continue to know our needs and provide as he sees fit.

Main Lodge

This is the main lodge which will also contain a commercial-type kitchen. This will be the central meeting area for services, presentations, activities and dining. Extensive renovations will be needed as well as furnishing of kitchen equipment and supplies.

Electrical work

These workers were re-wiring the well bringing all the electrical in the upper area up to code.

Electrical Infrastructure

Over 1400 feet of trench for electrical infrastructure was dug which required a jackhammer attachment to a backhoe because of the hard ground. This part of the project is now complete. Arizona Public Service (our electric company) will set the transformers.

Interior cabin

This is the interior of the same cabin, and represents what the other cabins will look like when renovated.

Cabin

One of the cabins was renovated for the purpose of having an inspection and to determine what the needs and costs would be for bringing all the cabins to a useable standard. The cabin was approved as remodeled. The plan is to eventually have 10 cabins similar to this one. The total over-night capacity at the camp will be approximately 100, including staff.

Caretaker's Cabin

The upper well's tank was sealed and lower well tank was removed. A submersible pump was installed for use by the caretaker's cabin. The caretaker's cabin was renovated and furnished. A new metal roof, insulation and wall heater were installed.

Sauna

A sauna was built by the existing upper area bathhouse and ramada. This will serve the future camping area and be a staging area for work crews.

Where we are today

Clean-up
The cleanup continues once weather permits. It is not critical to making the camp functional. This task may be performed independently of the construction projects.

Electrical
The electrical underground conduit has been installed to the lodge and the transformer pad has been set. The power company will install the power line and the transformer when weather permits. Work is planned to be completed by July 1, 2008.

Cabins
Cabins will be upgraded to usable rustic condition. Work will proceed as weather permits. Renovations are planned to be completed by August 1, 2008.

Staff House
A plan has been prepared for the staff house improvements. The goal is to complete construction by November 1, 2008. Building permit is required from the county.

Bath House
The plan is prepared to renovate the bath house. Building permit is required. Plumbing and electrical plans are required. Congregation members can prepare the plans. Work is anticipated to proceed at the following schedule.

1. Submit plans to the County by June 1, 2008.
2. Permits issued by July 1, 2008.
3. Construction completed by December 1, 2008.

Lodge
Building permit is required for remodeling the lodge. Services of an architect licensed to practice in Arizona must be obtained. The following tasks and schedule is anticipated.

1. County staff performs a site tour when weather allows. Approximatel April 1, 2008.
2. Retain services of an architectural firm by April 1, 2008.
3. Prepare construction drawings by July 1, 2008.
4. Obtain construction permit by September 1, 2008.
5. Complete construction by September 1, 2009

If the county staff requires structural changes to the building the above schedule will require modification.

Water
Water was tested and meets water quality requirements for a community water supply. Several system upgrades will be required, including the installation of an iron removal filter. All improvements must be designed by an engineering firm licensed to practice in Arizona. The anticipated schedule is as follows:

1. Retain services of an engineering firm by April 1, 2008
2. Prepare plans for system modifications by August 1, 2008
3. Obtain approval of plans to Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) by
November 1, 2008.
4. Complete construction of improvements to water system by August 1, 2009.

Sewer
The county has previously stated that the existing sewer system may be used without modification. However some damage to the septic tanks has occurred which requires that the sewer system be repaired. The following schedule is anticipated.

1. Inspect the system damage by May 1, 2008.
2. Obtain approval from the county to repair the sewer system by June 1, 2008.
3. Complete construction of the improvements by October 1, 2008.

Construction/Remodel

Project Manager - Steve Forstie

We have secured a commitment from overall Project Manager, Steve Forstie, to see the project through from now until the first camp is held.

We will secure commitments from individuals and or contractors to supervise each phase of the project which includes:

* Electrical Infrastructure
* Water
* Bathroom Renovations
* Cabin Renovations
* Lodge Renovations
* Ramada Renovations
* Camp Site Development
* Road Infrastructure
* Landscaping
* Recreational Areas

Action Plan

* Construction/Remodel
* Financing
* Fundraising

All of these items have begun to a limited extent. We will take a look at what has been done at the camp so far, and then address where we are today and what yet needs to be completed to give us an operational camp.

Property Surveyed

The Camp Planning Committee is currently working on having the property surveyed to allow for campsites and road development as well as permits, before bulldozer work can begin. This camping area will be in the upper area near the ramada, bathhouse and sauna.

Haps enjoying the work!

The Haps enjoyed their day of work in the pines. A Bonfire and BBQ was enjoyed by all after a day of clean-up.

More clean up

Moving forward and the work is getting done.

George at work

George Niemela has spent many hours working at Kamp Kipa.

Clean up has begun

With much excitement and good cooperation the crews have been scheduled to work and we are moving forward.

Aerial Photos

Mike Barber flew several members over Kamp Kipa so we may all enjoy this beautiful view. The First picture is of the property and the second shows the original buildings on this property. What excitement here in the Southwest.

Camp Planning Committee - January 2006

Now the work begins. There were many meetings and discussions where thoughts and suggestions were discussed. Should we demolish all the buildings? Work with what we have and add new facilities?, etc. A Master plan for the camp for long term needs and desires as well as considering immediate needs to have a camp operational as soon as possible were discussed. God willing, we hope to have an operational facility for the 2009 camp season.

A Kamp Kipa Board was formed. The members are listed below. These positions are recommended locally and ratified by the LLC.

Camp director/chairman - Jim Moll
Board Members:
* Steve Forstie
* Art Harju
* Bob Johnson
* Daryl Johnson
* Shannon Simonson
* Harvey Skoog

A New Camp Planning Committee was formed. Members were selected by the Kamp Kipa Board. Current members are:
* Larry Anderson
* Steve Forstie
* Keith Kesti
* Steve Moll
* Scott Raisanen